Official RWC 2015 Merchandise Goes on Sale as Master Licensee Rights Awarded to ESP

An unprecedented and exciting range of official Rugby World Cup 2015 merchandise will soon be available for fans around the world after Elite Sports Properties (ESP) was awarded the global master licensing rights for the prestigious event.

A trading arm of Brand Management Services Limited, ESP were awarded the exclusive global rights by event owner Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) following an exhaustive global tender process.

The much-anticipated range of merchandise for the eighth Rugby World Cup will launch via the official online store at http://newsletter.irb.com:81/CT00233503NDMwMw==.HTML?D=2013-02-22 in May 2013, though fans are now able to get their hands on selected must-have Canterbury lines after ESP targeted selected stores across the UK to preview the stunning range.

The selected stores are: Rugby Store at Twickenham, Lovellrugby.com, Kitbag.com, Ted Fenton Sports (store and online), Shoefair Sports (store), Ivan Jameson (store), CT Sports (online) and Hacker (store).

A range of official merchandise including men's and women's t-shirts, polo shirts, Rugby jerseys, jackets and caps has already attracted strong demand and sales. The next phase of roll out will see the range launched within each of the Rugby World Cup 2015 participating unions.

RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "Rugby World Cup Limited is delighted to welcome on board Elite Sports Properties, one of the world's foremost licensing and entertainment companies, as Master Licensee for Rugby World Cup 2015 in England."

"The awarding of the master licensing rights is a key element of the Rugby World Cup 2015 commercial programme. We are delighted to see official merchandise on sale three years out from the event, providing fans with the opportunity to engage with Rugby's premier event and purchase official product earlier than for any previous Rugby World Cup."

"The success of the Licensing programme was one of the highlights of an exceptional Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand. It was a core element of the commercial programme that underpins the development of Rugby worldwide. Indeed, record broadcast, sponsorship and commercial hospitality revenues from recent Rugby World Cups have enabled the IRB to invest £150 million in Rugby at all levels between 2009 and 2012."

"We look forward to working with ESP to deliver an exciting range of official merchandise that represents the essence of England 2015 and the teams and players who will showcase their talent at venues across England to a global television audience of billions."

ESP will look to capitalise on the strength of the Rugby World Cup brand to deliver through an extensive online and in-store retail network an exciting and innovative range of official merchandise for Rugby World Cup 2015, an event that is set to engage sports fans the length and breadth of England and around the world.

ESP Director Rob Woodhouse said: "ESP is proud to be appointed as the Master Licensee for Rugby World Cup 2015. The tournament represents a significant opportunity for companies to engage with the world's biggest sporting event in 2015 and an event that will really put Rugby on the map as a truly global sport with one of the most exciting and engaging major events."

"ESP looks forward to playing an integral role in this process. We are already actively seeking expressions of interest from local and international companies who are interested in becoming an Official Licensee of the tournament."

In the first official sub license appointment, ESP has announced that Sportfolio has been awarded the exclusive global apparel license, continuing the tournament's successful partnership with the company and leading Rugby apparel brand Canterbury, which delivered unprecedented consumer support for Rugby World Cup 2011.

For further information on the RWC 2015 licensing programme, and a full copy of the Expression of Interest and Request for Proposal document, please contact the RWC 2015 ESP Licensing team: licensing@espgb.co.uk / 020 8334 8172 or go to http://newsletter.irb.com:81/CT00233505NDMwMw==.HTML?D=2013-02-22 and download the Request for Proposal document directly.

For all the latest news and ticket information on Rugby World Cup 2015, join The Front Row at http://newsletter.irb.com:81/CT00233506NDMwMw==.HTML?D=2013-02-22.

For more information contact: Dominic Rumbles, IRB Head of Communications, +353-868-520-826, email dominic.rumbles@irb.com

Asa service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim textsof selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations,federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

20 Years at #1: